Optical recognition system and method for simulated shooting

Abstract

A shooting simulation system and method. The system includes a firearm associated with a user having a user computer and an optical system for capturing an image. The image provides information on a trajectory of a virtual bullet fired from the firearm. The optical system is aligned relative to a known sight of the firearm and the optical system captures the image when shooting the firearm. An image recognition system determines a location where a virtual bullet from the shooting firearm would impact within the captured image.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shooting simulation system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of firearms, each firearm associated with a separate player, wherein each player has a user computer and an optical system associated with the firearm for capturing an image, the image providing information on a trajectory of a virtual bullet fired from a shooting firearm; 
 wherein the optical system is aligned relative to a known sight of the shooting firearm, the optical system capturing the image when shooting the firearm; and 
 an image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a legitimate target; 
 wherein the user computer determines if the captured image is a hit or a miss of a targeted player, the user computer using information obtained from the optical system and image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a hit or a miss of a targeted player, wherein the optical system detects a predetermined indicia of the targeted player to determine if the targeted player is a legitimate target; 
 wherein the indicia identifies the player and is configured to be worn by the player. 
 
     
     
       2. The system according to  claim 1  wherein each player wears the indicia for identifying the player. 
     
     
       3. The system according to  claim 2  wherein the indicia provides positional information on where the virtual bullet would impact. 
     
     
       4. The system according to  claim 2  wherein:
 the indicia is a modulating retro-reflector; and 
 the optical system includes a receiver for receiving signals reflected from the modulating retro-reflector. 
 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 4  wherein:
 the optical system is configured to emit a laser beam; 
 the modulating retro-reflector is configured to modulate and reflect the emitted laser beam to the receiver of the optical system, the modulated laser beam providing information to the user computer. 
 
     
     
       6. The system according to  claim 5  wherein the modulated laser beam provides information on the identity of a target associated with the modulating retro-reflector. 
     
     
       7. The system according to  claim 4  wherein the modulating retro-reflector is configured to illuminate points or a portion of a target associated with the modulating retro-reflector. 
     
     
       8. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the optical system captures a plurality of images during the act of shooting. 
     
     
       9. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the optical system includes a laser which emits a laser beam. 
     
     
       10. The system according to  claim 1  wherein:
 the optical system includes a receiver for receiving reflected signals from a target; and 
 the laser provides a ranging function to determine a distance to the reflected target. 
 
     
     
       11. The system according to  claim 1  wherein a hit or miss is determined by predetermined constraints defining a hit stored in the user computer. 
     
     
       12. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the optical system projects spectral radiation to illuminate a target. 
     
     
       13. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the optical system captures an image prior to a trigger actuation. 
     
     
       14. The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a central computing system communicating with all the user computers. 
     
     
       15. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the optical system captures an image after trigger actuation. 
     
     
       16. The system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one firearm is affixed to a vehicle. 
     
     
       17. A method of simulating firearm use, the method comprising the steps of:
 shooting a firearm, wherein the step of shooting includes aiming at a target and triggering the firearm; 
 capturing an image during the step of shooting by an optical system associated with the shooting firearm; 
 providing information on a trajectory of a virtual bullet fired from a shooting firearm by the captured image; and 
 determining if the captured image is a valid hit or miss of the target, wherein the step of determining if the captured image is a valid hit or miss of the target includes the steps of:
 using an image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a legitimate target; 
 using information obtained from the optical system and image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a hit or a miss of the target and detecting a predetermined indicia associated with the target, wherein the optical system detects the predetermined indicia to determine if the target is a legitimate target. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of determining if the captured image is a hit or a miss of the target. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 18  wherein the step of determining if the captured image is a hit or a miss of the target includes the step of using information obtained from the optical system and image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a hit or a miss of the target. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of affixing the indicia to the target. 
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 20  wherein the indicia provides positional information on where the virtual bullet would impact. 
     
     
       22. The system according to  claim 20  wherein the indicia is a modulating retro-reflector. 
     
     
       23. The method according to  claim 22  wherein:
 the optical system is configured to emit a laser beam; 
 the modulating retro-reflector is configured to modulate and reflect the emitted laser beam; 
 the optical system is configured to receive reflected laser beams, the reflected laser beam providing information to the user computer. 
 
     
     
       24. The method according to  claim 23  wherein the modulated laser beam provides information on the identity of a target associated with the modulating retro-reflector. 
     
     
       25. The method according to  claim 22  wherein the modulating retro-reflector is configured to illuminate a point or a portion of a target associated with the modulating retro-reflector. 
     
     
       26. The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of emitting a laser beam from a laser affixed to the optical system. 
     
     
       27. The method according to  claim 26  wherein:
 the optical system includes a receiver for receiving reflected signals from a target; and 
 the laser provides a ranging function to determine a distance to the reflected target. 
 
     
     
       28. The method according to  claim 26  wherein the laser beam illuminates a point or portion of the target. 
     
     
       29. The method according to  claim 17  wherein at least one firearm is affixed to a vehicle. 
     
     
       30. The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the steps of:
 verifying a hit or miss for each captured image by a central computing system communicating with a user computer of the firearm; and 
 compiling hits or misses of the firearm in use by the central computing system. 
 
     
     
       31. The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of detecting a predetermined indicia associated with the target, wherein an optical system detects the predetermined indicia in the captured image to determine an identity of the target. 
     
     
       32. The method according to  claim 17  further comprising the step of informing an intended target of a hit of the virtual bullet. 
     
     
       33. A simulated shooting system, the system comprising:
 a firearm associated with a user having a user computer and an optical system for capturing an image, the image providing information on a trajectory of a virtual bullet fired from the firearm; 
 wherein the optical system is aligned relative to a known sight of the shooting firearm, the optical system capturing the image when shooting the firearm; and 
 an image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a legitimate target; 
 wherein the computer determines if the captured image is a hit or a miss of a target, the computer using information obtained from the optical system and image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a hit or a miss of the target, wherein the optical system detects a predetermined indicia of the target to determine if the target is a legitimate target. 
 
     
     
       34. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the user computer determines from the determined location of the virtual bullet if the captured image is a hit or a miss of a target, the user computer using information obtained from the optical system and image recognition system for determining if the captured image is a hit or a miss of a target. 
     
     
       35. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the target is affixed with the indicia for identifying the target. 
     
     
       36. The system according to  claim 35  wherein the indicia provides positional information on where the virtual bullet would impact. 
     
     
       37. The system according to  claim 35  wherein:
 the indicia is a modulating retro-reflector; and 
 the optical system includes a receiver for receiving signals reflected from the modulating retro-reflector. 
 
     
     
       38. The system according to  claim 37  wherein:
 the optical system is configured to emit a laser beam; 
 the modulating retro-reflector is configured to modulate and reflect the emitted laser beam to the receiver of the optical system, the modulated laser beam providing information to the user computer. 
 
     
     
       39. The system according to  claim 38  wherein the modulated laser beam provides information on the identity of a target associated with the modulating retro-reflector. 
     
     
       40. The system according to  claim 37  wherein the modulating retro-reflector is configured to illuminate a point or a portion of a target associated with the modulating retro-reflector. 
     
     
       41. The system according to  claim 37  wherein the optical system captures a plurality of images during the act of shooting. 
     
     
       42. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the optical system includes a laser which emits a laser beam. 
     
     
       43. The system according to  claim 33  wherein:
 the optical system includes a receiver for receiving reflected signals from a target; and 
 the laser provides a ranging function to determine a distance to the reflected target. 
 
     
     
       44. The system according to  claim 33  wherein a hit or miss is determined by predetermined constraints defining a hit stored in the user computer. 
     
     
       45. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the firearm projects spectral radiation to illuminate a target. 
     
     
       46. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the optical system captures an image prior to a trigger actuation. 
     
     
       47. The system according to  claim 33  further comprising a central computing system communicating with all the user computers. 
     
     
       48. The system according to  claim 33  wherein at least one firearm is affixed to a vehicle. 
     
     
       49. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the target is an inanimate object. 
     
     
       50. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the optical system is configured for bore sighting the firearm. 
     
     
       51. The system according to  claim 33  wherein the optical system captures an image after trigger actuation.